Northern France... Suggestions / Examples?

Good morning all,

I'm planning on taking a little trip over to the north of France this summer. I'm planning on going to somewhere like Cherbourg or St Malo from the UK. I was wondering if anyone had any images that may inspire me and sway my decision where to go?

I will be riding a 125 Scooter over just for fun and hopefully doccumenting a little along the way. Kit wise i was going to take my 5D mkII and 1D mkIII, 24-70 f2.8, 50mm f1.8 and 70-200 F2.8 along with a single Speedlight 430 EX II.

Bump?

Hi friend !

You are right to bump up this message, I didn't see it.
It's late tonight but I'll give you some informations tomorrow.

Thanks Dopey!

Hello !

I need more information in order to answer more precisely.
You say that you plan to visit North of France but you will arrive by Brittany (St Malo) or Normandy (Cherbourg).
By "North of France" do you mean this part of the country located at North-West, or really North ?

Well my plan is that i will be riding my scooter (125cc) over from the south west of the UK and taking the ferry over and then spending maybe 3 days in France before returning home.

My aim is to renew my love of street and urban photography. I spent some time in Brittany in a place called Mauron. It was amazing, beautiful and everything i expected.

On the way there we stopped off at St Malo and Dinan, again i fell in love.

I thought a possible option would be to arrive in St Malo, Ride along the coast and then return from Calais?

I once cycled from Caen (North-West of Paris and pretty close to Cherbourg) to Paris, having arrived there (or the port just up the river) by ferry from Portsmouth.

Whilst I loved cycling through the French countryside and can say the scenery was lovely, but due to spending a lot of time looking at what was in front of my front wheel I can't be too specific other than saying that Caen itself was very pretty, and there was a pretty little market town we spent the night in called Bernay (approximately half-way to Paris) - not sure if the market is an everyday occurrence but it was an interesting start to the morning!

The roads there were excellent compared to Britain, particularly for cycling with very considerate motorists and enthusiastic pedestrians! It's the only place I've cycled where someone has pulled alongside in a car and offered words of encouragement rather than abuse!

Hello !

Sorry to be so late in my answer, I was not on the forum during some days.
The trip you plan is long and there are hundreds of nice places to visit between Saint Malo and Calais. In my opinion, somebody who would see just 10% needs two or three months...
My feeling is, but it's just my feeling, it's better to well visit a small area than to have a so long travel which makes you lack many places because it's impossible to see all in one time, especially in 3 days.

This being said, Saint Malo merits one or two days. It's a lovely small city with beautiful houses surrounded by strong fortifications.
Here is a link to know more about Saint Malo: http://www.saint-malo-tourisme.co.uk/

Mont Saint Michel, at about 40 km East of Saint Malo, is a major place in this area. It's one of the best historical place of France, but also one of the most submerged by tourists.
Another link: http://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/in​dex.htm?lang=en

An agreable trip can be done along the west coast of Manche department, from Granville to Cherbourg. Beautiful and calm beachs, many small fishing harbours.
http://www.manche-tourism.com/en

Continuing to East, you will see the landings beachs on June 1944 (Utah beach, Omaha beach, Gold beach, Juno beach, Sword beach.......) but also some nice cities as for instance Port en Bessin (photo below).

IMAGE LINK: http://www.hostingpics​.net ….php?id=378950O​range2.jpg

IMAGE LINK: http://www.hostingpics​.net …php?id=925917Wa​lking1.jpg

Thanks so much for the reply, I have lots of inspiration now. It looks so beautiful, i can't wait to get out there.
I will think about what you said about trying to go a large distance in a small amount of time. Perhaps i will take a week off work and spend it based in St Malo and then take a few day trips around the area.

I think that will let me enjoy the trip and not stress about trying to get from place to place.

Working on that basis i'm thinking of visiting the following:

Dinard
Mont Saint Michel (possibly an evening trip)
Dinan
Saint-Brieuc

As you well imagine, I completely agree with you when you say that it will be better to reduce the distances to be completed in order to give more time to each place.
Less stress and much more time to enjoy each visit.

The four places you cite are very interesting.
Among them, the one I prefer is Dinan, but as I already said, this is just my own opinion.

In addition to these 4 places may I suggest another one ?
What I'm going to say is in contradiction with the rule "less distance = more time to visit" but I really think that it could be a pity, being in Saint Brieuc, not to go a bit more at West.
The coast between Saint Brieuc and Trébeurden is absolutely wonderful.
If you have time enough, try to go from Saint Brieuc to Paimpol, and after from Paimpol to Trébeurden.

In this second part (Paimpol to Trébeurden) you will see some villages like this one:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.casimages.c​om/i/15020302113284698​4.jpg

IMAGE LINK: http://www.casimages.c​om/i/15020302184874029​3.jpg

IMAGE LINK: http://www.casimages.c​om/i/15020302122270967​7.jpg

So beautiful hidden gems I will look to see if i can add this into my list.